"Life on Mars?" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie, first released on his 1971 album Hunky Dory. Bowie wrote the song as a parody of Frank Sinatra's "My Way". "Life on Mars?" was recorded on 6 August 1971 at Trident Studios in London, and was co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott. Bowie's backing band consisted of guitarist and string arranger Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder, drummer Mick Woodmansey and Strawbs member Rick Wakeman on piano. "Life on Mars?" is primarily a glam rock ballad, with elements of cabaret and art rock; it has a complex structure that includes chord changes throughout. The lyrics are about a girl who goes to a cinema to escape reality, and include surreal images that reflect optimism and the effects of Hollywood.
Life on Mars (song)
Rick Wakeman (pictured in 2012), whose piano playing on "Life on Mars?" is prominent.
Mick Ronson (pictured in 1981), whose string arrangement is prevalent throughout the song.
Trent Reznor (left) and Atticus Ross covered "Life on Mars?" in 2019 for the American television series Watchmen.
Hunky Dory is the fourth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released in the United Kingdom on 17 December 1971 through RCA Records. Following a break from touring and recording, Bowie settled down to write new songs, composing on piano rather than guitar as in earlier works. Bowie assembled guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder, and drummer Mick Woodmansey, and began to record a new album in mid-1971 at Trident Studios in London. Rick Wakeman contributed on piano shortly before joining Yes. Bowie co-produced the album with Ken Scott, who had engineered Bowie's previous two records.
UK cover (the original US cover bears no title)
Co-producer Ken Scott in 2014
Rick Wakeman (pictured in 2012), whose piano playing greatly influenced the songs
"Kooks" is a tribute to Bowie's son Duncan Jones (pictured in 2015).